Batman: Killing Joke (deluxe)

Hardcover | March 19, 2008

Presented for the first time with stark, stunning new coloring by Bolland, BATMAN: THE KILLING JOKE is Alan Moore's unforgettable meditation on the razor-thin line between sanity and insanity, heroism and villainy, comedy and tragedy.

According to the grinning engine of madness and mayhem known as The Joker, that's all that separates the sane from the psychotic. Freed once again from the confines of Arkham Asylum, he's out to prove his deranged point. And he¿s going to use Gotham City's top cop, Commissioner Jim Gordon, and his brilliant and beautiful daughter Barbara to do it.

Now Batman must race to stop his archnemesis before his reign of terror claims two of the Dark Knight's closest friends. Can he finally put an end to the cycle of bloodlust and lunacy that links these two iconic foes before it leads to its fatal conclusion? And as the horrifying origin of the Clown Prince of Crime is finally revealed, will the thin line that separates Batman's nobility and The Joker's insanity snap once and for all?

Legendary writer Alan Moore redefined the super-hero with WATCHMEN and V FOR VENDETTA. In BATMAN: THE KILLING JOKE, he takes on the origin of comics' greatest super-villain, The Joker —and changes Batman's world forever.

Stunningly illustrated, BATMAN: THE KILLING JOKE, THE DELUXE EDITION has been lushly re-colored by artist Brian Bolland, presenting his original vision of this modern classic for the first time.

A NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLERPresented for the first time with stark, stunning new coloring by Bolland, BATMAN: THE KILLING JOKE is Alan Moore's unforgettable meditation on the razor-thin line between sanity and insanity, heroism and villainy, comedy and tragedy. According to the grinning engine of madness and mayhem known as ...

Alan Moore is perhaps the most acclaimed writer in the graphic story medium, having garnered countless awards for works such as WATCHMEN, V FOR VENDETTA, From Hell, Miracleman and SWAMP THING. He is also the mastermind behind the America’s Best Comics line, through which he has created (along with many talented illustrators) THE LEAGUE...

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Reviews

Rated 5 out of
5 by
Akshay from
Art was DOPEWayyyyy better than the movie

Date published: 2016-12-08

Rated 4 out of
5 by
josh from
Alan Moore enough saida batman tale for everyone

Date published: 2016-12-07

Rated 4 out of
5 by
Caterina from
Amazing!!!Read it because all my friends recommended it and I can't say I'm disappointed! Amazing style and storyline, just like I heard. One of the best comics ever written, no doubt.

Date published: 2016-12-05

Rated 5 out of
5 by
AHGonYOUTUBE from
ClassicGreat story with great graphics

Date published: 2016-12-05

Rated 4 out of
5 by
Corey from
Joker's most famous storyEvery batman fan should own a copy of this book.

Date published: 2016-12-03

Rated 5 out of
5 by
AHGonYOUTUBE from
It's a classicIf you like batman, then you must read this

Date published: 2016-12-02

Rated 5 out of
5 by
Uncoolcat from
My favourite comic of all timeMoore does it again. He tells a story that not only shows The Joker as being Batman's most horrifying villain, but completely humanises him in the process too. No small feat. Plus Bolland's art is beyond incredible and every frame (and transition) is unique and imaginative. I've read this over and over again and I can't imagine ever getting sick of it. A perfect blend of comic book wowee zowee with a very honest human story. Sometimes your problems are yours and yours alone.

Date published: 2016-12-02

Rated 4 out of
5 by
Michael from
It's a classic but...Nearly always mentioned as one of Batman's greatest stories, it's actually a bit overrated at this point. Sure it's a good story but it's also been pumped up quite a bit and has developed this level of expectation that Im not sure it can meet. If you want to enjoy this graphic novel, don't read anything about it and just go in with a blank slate. If you read too many reviews or discussions on this book, then it might not meet the level of expectations set by the hype.

Date published: 2016-12-02

Rated 4 out of
5 by
Roger from
True ClassicIf you like Batman at all, then you must read this. A classic story that hints at what might separate any of us from those that we consider crazy. Pick it up!

Date published: 2016-11-29

Rated 4 out of
5 by
Roger from
True classicIf you like Batman, this is an absolute must have. This is a classic story that teases at the psyche behind every man and what might separate each of us. Pick it up!

Date published: 2016-11-29

Rated 5 out of
5 by
Warren from
Great BookProbably my favorite of all the story lines. Highly enjoyable.

Date published: 2016-11-15

Rated 5 out of
5 by
Lauren from
Great comic book for fansGreat read if you like graphic comics! :) enjoy!

Date published: 2016-11-09

Rated 4 out of
5 by
JoFLObo from
JokerA good read if new to comics and dont want to worry about back stories

Date published: 2016-11-07

Rated 5 out of
5 by
hotshot_ac from
THE DEFINITIVE JOKER STORY!!!!This is a must for ANY TRUE BATMAN fan! Probably one of the most gripping graphic novels ever and an amazing origin story! Keep me on the edge of my seat until the last panel and beyond. Without a doubt the most iconic villain of all time and now a glimpse into the mind of the madness!

Date published: 2016-11-03

Rated 5 out of
5 by
lastlaugh82 from
Amazing History of the Clown Prince of CrimeThroughly remarkable tale of one of the most iconic supervillians of our time! Few dare to exploit the oigins of a madman and life to tell the tale in stunning visuals, background and layout. A true hallmark of creation and most sought out read to any die hard fan! Highly recommended !

Date published: 2015-02-24

Rated 5 out of
5 by
rubenemd from
Great bookThis is the ultimate Joker story. The one that humanizes him and the one that solidifies the relationship between him and batman.
Highly recommended for any comic book reader new and old.

Date published: 2015-01-12

Rated 5 out of
5 by
njfarra from
Great!Short (wish there was more), but certainly doesn't lack impact! Connects some stories we already knew, and probably adds a bit more background as well. The story-boarding and storytelling is exceptional, just a great read overall. Highly recommended to any Batman or Joker fan.

Date published: 2014-09-12

Rated 5 out of
5 by
Spiderman from
Absolute Masterpiece.Every Batman fan should read this book. This is the closest thing we have to a Joker origin story. Many people prefer him without an origin, but it is left up to interpretation whether or not his backstory told in this book is true, which I really liked. Everything in this story just works really well. The dynamic between Batman and the Joker in this book is written perfectly. The art by Brian Bolland is great. The story is very dark and twisted which intrigues you to read further. The point Joker is trying to get across in this story is that everyone can become crazy given the circumstances, that your whole life can change just by having one bad day. Batman, knows this too well. Overall this book is nearly perfect. If I have one complaint its that the book is too short.

Date published: 2014-08-14

Rated 5 out of
5 by
Kjamz from
If you are a Batman fan you have to read this book.Best origin story ever.

Date published: 2014-07-28

Rated 5 out of
5 by
luminaraunduli2 from
EFFING. AWESOME.Easily one of the best Joker stories ever told. I LOVED this comic. When I first borrowed it from the library, I didn't expected it to be THAT GOOD. LIKE I NEEDED A COPY OF MY OWN. Very rarely would I read a book twice, but this one is just so good I would read it over and over again.

Date published: 2014-05-08

Rated 5 out of
5 by
hotshot_ac from
Best Villain EverThis is a great read. I personally enjoyed the way the story truly showed how the relationship between Batman and the Joker is more than just good guy vs bad guy. Loved the ending!

Date published: 2014-04-23

Rated 5 out of
5 by
scott from
AmazingOne of the best batman stories ever told

Date published: 2013-12-14

Rated 5 out of
5 by
calem_schalm from
In a word... FantasticalamazingnessNo complaints! Every fan must own this comic.... Actually I shouldn't say "comic" i should say "perfectly forged piece of art"

Date published: 2012-12-19

Rated 4 out of
5 by
Mr.A from
The genesis of the 'modern' interpretation of the Joker right here,Over 20 years ago (1988) comic wunderkind scribe, Alan Moore teamed up with artist mastermind, Brian Bolland, to craft a 1-shot Batman book, "The Killing Joke" which would go on to serve as the blueprint for one of the most popular interpretations of the Joker ever (Heath Ledger in 'Batman: The Dark Knight Returns'). Although somewhat tame in today's era, at the time, 'The Killing Joke' stirred up a smidgen of controversy over the use of violence and depictions of The Joker's sadistic crimes. One thing that stands up to this date is the masterful character study of the Joker himself. The book flashes back to reveal the Joker's back story and provides a complete retelling of his origin to flesh out the reasoning on why the Joker became such a sadistic, cruel and brutal cold-blooded killer. While the narrative may feel somewhat skimpy this tale is truly all about the Joker (along with Bolland's detailed and sumptuous art).

Date published: 2011-05-29

Rated 5 out of
5 by
Shaun_King from
One of the best Batman comics ever!!The Killing Joke is one of the books that Chris Nolan and Hedth Ledger referenced when creating The Dark Night, so, since i loved that film, i picked it up not even knowing it was a work by the great Alan Moore. It's a great read that attempts to give and origin story to the Joker, whether or not it's canon, i'm not exactly sure. However, it's probably the best written story about the relationship of the Joker and Batman. It also includeds a scene, which truly shocking at the time, still leaves the reader a little shocked afterward. The colouring has all been redone and looks gorgeous. I reccommend to any fan of Batman, The Dark Knight or for those interested in reading more about the Joker.

Date published: 2009-05-23

Rated 4 out of
5 by
Erin_Wall from
Shocking moment in historyI love Batman, i believe he is one of the greatest characters created. The Killing Joke follows Joker as he attempts to extract revenge on Batman, and on Gordon. On the whole, I liked this graphic novel, but there were a few moments that didn't make sense, and that were out of character (Batman asking for a peaceful solution to his fued with Joker, and Joker's origin (?)). On the other hand, the artwork was great, and of course, this compilation holds on of the key moments in Gotham's history.

Date published: 2009-01-08

Rated 5 out of
5 by
Dawn_Davis from
Don't Get Even, Get Mad! - thebookblog.caWith the incredible success of The Dark Knight (and my late summer filled with reading comics) The Killing Joke At fourty-six pages long, the reading of this tome hardly takes up an hour, but the content requires several re-readings. The scene starts out with Batman visiting the Joker in prison to discuss their complicated fate, only to discover that the real villian has been replaced with a phony. Meanwhile, the Joker purchases an abandoned theme park in order to show Commissioner Gordon what a real bad day looks like. In the meantime, the whole story is shadowed with a theoretical origin story for who the Joker once was, or might have been. With the beautiful remastered colours and stunning artwork, The Killing Joke is the perfect companion piece to all of those who enjoyed The Dark Knight, or if you’re just curious about the Joker, and if you’re a DC fan you should have it already. This is a masterpiece, and it’s hard to say more than that. If you want to prove your skills as a writer, write the Joker.

Date published: 2008-09-06

Rated 5 out of
5 by
djbakon from
The best Batman/Joker story toldThis book explores the relationship between Gothams dark knight and its #1 maniac. The sheer madness of the Joker is brought to the forefront as he attempts to teach Batman a lesson in pain. A must read for any Batman fan.

Date published: 2008-01-21

Extra Content

Editorial Reviews

"Easily the greatest Joker story ever told, BATMAN: THE KILLING JOKE is also one of Alan Moore's finest works. If you've read it before, go back and read it again. You owe it to yourself."—IGN